By Laurel Perry
Published Jun 2, 2025
Whenever I visit a carnival, state fair, or The American Adventure at Epcot, I make a beeline to the funnel cake stand. There’s nothing better than a hot funnel cake fresh from the fryer. The lace of crispy, chewy fried dough topped with powdered sugar is heavenly! But now I can have my favorite fair food any time I want in less than 30 minutes with this easy funnel cake recipe.
Pin this recipe for later!
I wait all year for state fair season, and it never comes fast enough. Sometimes, a craving just gets the best of you, and that’s how I came up with this funnel cake recipe. It turns out, it’s way easier to make funnel cake at home than I ever would have guessed, and I only needed a few pantry staple ingredients!
Tips for Beginners
- I found that the easiest method for pouring the batter is to use a piping bag with a round tip or with the end of the bag cut off. If you don’t have a funnel or piping bag, you can use a liquid measuring cup.
- If using a funnel, choose one with a ¼-½ inch opening. Plug the hole with your finger as you pour the batter into the funnel.
- Pour the batter in a thin stream while constantly moving to ensure the funnel cake isn’t too thick in places and cooks through evenly.
- Don’t panic if the batter sinks; it will float up as it cooks.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ vegetable oil for frying
- ▢ 2 cups all-purpose flour 240 grams
- ▢ 3 tablespoons powdered sugar 21 grams, plus more for dusting
- ▢ 1 teaspoon baking powder 4 grams
- ▢ ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ 1¼ cups whole milk 284 grams, room temperature
- ▢ 2 large eggs 100 grams, room temperature
- ▢ ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 grams
Video
Instructions
- Heat 2 inches of oil in a large Dutch oven to 375°F. Watch the oil and adjust the heat as needed. Place a wire rack on a paper towel-lined baking sheet next to your pot. vegetable oil
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. 2 cups all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- In a medium bowl, whisk the milk, eggs and vanilla until combined. 1¼ cups whole milk, 2 large eggs, ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and whisk until mostly smooth, a few small lumps are okay.
- Transfer the batter to a piping bag with a large round tip, a funnel, or a liquid measuring cup.
- Pour the batter into the hot oil, swirling and looping to make the classic funnel cake shape.
- Let the batter cook until golden on the underside, about 90 seconds. Gently flip with tongs and cook the second side for another 60-90 seconds.
- Remove the funnel cake and set it on the wire rack. Repeat with the remaining batter. Let the funnel cakes cool slightly, dust with powdered sugar, and enjoy.
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Dutch Oven
- Deep Frying Thermometer
- Baking Sheet
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Funnel Cakes Step by Step
Heat the Oil: Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven to 375°F. Watch the oil and adjust the heat as needed. Place a wire rack on a paper towel-lined baking sheet next to your pot.
Whisk the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt.
Make the Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk 1¼ cups of whole milk, 2 large eggs, and ½ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract until combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and whisk until mostly smooth, a few small lumps are okay.
Pipe the Funnel Cakes: Transfer the batter to a piping bag with a large round tip, a funnel, or a liquid measuring cup. Pour the batter into the hot oil, swirling and looping to make the classic funnel cake shape.
Fry the Funnel Cakes: Let the batter cook until golden on the underside, about 90 seconds. Gently flip with tongs and cook the second side for another 60-90 seconds.
Drain and Serve: Remove the funnel cake and set it on the wire rack. Repeat with the remaining batter. Let the funnel cakes cool slightly, dust with powdered sugar, and enjoy.
How to Store and Reheat
As with most fried foods, these funnel cakes taste best on the day they are made. However, I have found that I can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. I like to reheat them in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes, or until warmed through and crispy.
Serving Suggestions
I love these funnel cakes served simply with a dusting of powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, or a dollop of whipped cream . They’re also great drizzled with caramel sauce or chocolate syrup !
more dessert recipes to try!
Cake Mix Cookies
Hershey Kiss Cookies
Cinnamon Sugar Biscuit Bites
Vanilla Cake with Strawberry Filling
Funnel Cake Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Dutch Oven
- Deep Frying Thermometer
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- vegetable oil for frying
- 2 cups all-purpose flour 240 grams
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar 21 grams, plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon baking powder 4 grams
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1¼ cups whole milk 284 grams, room temperature
- 2 large eggs 100 grams, room temperature
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 grams
Instructions
- Heat 2 inches of oil in a large Dutch oven to 375°F. Watch the oil and adjust the heat as needed. Place a wire rack on a paper towel-lined baking sheet next to your pot. vegetable oil
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. 2 cups all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- In a medium bowl, whisk the milk, eggs and vanilla until combined. 1¼ cups whole milk, 2 large eggs, ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and whisk until mostly smooth, a few small lumps are okay.
- Transfer the batter to a piping bag with a large round tip, a funnel, or a liquid measuring cup.
- Pour the batter into the hot oil, swirling and looping to make the classic funnel cake shape.
- Let the batter cook until golden on the underside, about 90 seconds. Gently flip with tongs and cook the second side for another 60-90 seconds.
- Remove the funnel cake and set it on the wire rack. Repeat with the remaining batter. Let the funnel cakes cool slightly, dust with powdered sugar, and enjoy.
Video
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
